Magnetic Wave Generator

ABSTRACT

Magnetic wave generator and use. The wave generator includes a driver portion with motor and rotating mount with a first magnet; and an actuator portion that includes a pivot mount and a pivoting arm coupled thereto, with a second magnet at one position on the pivoting arm, and a buoyant float member at another. During operation, the actuator portion is at least partially submerged in a fluid of a wave tank, with the driver portion just outside the wave tank. The driver portion rotates the rotating mount, repeatedly moving the first magnet near then away from the actuator portion. Accordingly, the pivot arm rotates away due to magnetic repulsion, pushing the float member down into the fluid, then buoyancy of the float member provides a restorative force that rotates the pivoting arm, allowing the float member to rise. The movement of the float member induces waves in the wave tank.

PRIORITY DATA

This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. ProvisionalApplication Ser. No. 61/621,197, titled “Magnetic Wave Generator”, filedApr. 6, 2012, whose inventor is David E. Wilson, and which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety as though fully and completelyset forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of actuators, and morespecifically, to a magnetic wave generator for generating waves in afluid.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

There are numerous applications that utilize the generation of waves ina fluid, including, for example, research and development for marineequipment, e.g., marine vessels, devices for power generation from oceanwaves, etc., educational apparatuses for demonstrating wave phenomenaand properties, and so forth. Wave generators are often used with a wavetank (or, alternatively, a ripple tank), in which a driver, e.g., amotor, causes an actuator in or on the surface of the fluid in the wavetank, e.g., a plank, to move up and down or back and forth, i.e., toreciprocate, thereby generating waves in the fluid.

However, prior art wave generators generally rely on a material, i.e.,mechanical, coupling between the driver and the actuator, which can makecalibration and control of the wave generator for different conditionsdifficult, inflexible, and unwieldy.

Thus, improved means for generating waves are desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of a magnetic wave generator for generating waves ina fluid are presented below.

The magnetic wave generator, which may be referred to herein simply as“the wave generator”, may include components for an actuator portion,and components for a driver portion. The driver portion may include arotating mount that includes a first magnet situated on acircumferential edge of the rotating mount. The driver portion furtherincludes a motor (e.g., in a housing), coupled to and configured torotate the rotating mount. Note that the first magnet is positioned onor in the rotating mount such that when the motor rotates the rotatingmount, the magnet revolves around the axis of rotation of the rotatingmount.

While in some embodiments, the rotating mount is a thick disk (oralternatively, a short cylinder), in other embodiments, the rotatingmount may be of any shape desired, so long as it can be made to rotateby the motor, and thereby cause the first magnet to revolve, e.g., anL-shaped member with one leg aligned with the axis of rotation, and theother holding the first magnet, among others.

In some embodiments, the components for the actuator portion may includea pivot mount, a pivoting arm, and a float member, e.g., a buoyant tube.The pivoting arm may include a second magnet at a first position on thepivoting arm, and the float member at a second position on the pivotingarm. Note that the pivoting arm may couple to or include the floatmember, i.e., the pivoting arm and the floating member may be one pieceor not.

When assembled, the pivoting arm is rotatably coupled to the pivotmount. In other words, the pivoting arm can rotate with respect to thepivot mount. This pivoting functionality may be implemented in any ofvarious ways, including, for example, a pivot hole and pivot post, oralternatively, via a flexible joint, e.g., a short, durable, flexibleribbon that attaches to the pivot mount and the pivoting arm, and allowsthe pivoting arm to pivot about the point of attachment on the pivotmount. More generally, any pivoting or hinging means can be used asdesired, e.g., any of various hinges or hinging mechanisms.

The float member is buoyant, and thus, when submerged in a fluid, suchas water in a wave tank, has a tendency to rise to the surface of thefluid, i.e., the buoyancy of the float member generates an upward force.Note that in various embodiments, any type, material, or shape of floatmember may be used as desired, so long as it is buoyant.

When installed, the actuator portion of the wave generator is at leastpartially submerged in a wave tank that contains a fluid, and the driverportion is situated just outside the wave tank and proximate to theactuator portion. Thus, the driver portion and the actuator portion areproximate and magnetically coupled via the first and second magnets.Note that in some embodiments, the actuator portion is mounted (orpositioned) on the bottom (floor) of the wave tank; however, in otherembodiments, the actuator portion may be mounted (or positioned)elsewhere in or on the wave tank.

The driver portion may be configured to rotate the rotating mount,thereby repeatedly and alternatively moving the first magnet near thenaway from the actuator portion. Note that the first and second magnetsare preferably oriented to repel each other upon closest approach. Inother words, as the rotating mount brings the first magnet near theactuator portion, and thus near the second magnet, the magnets are inopposition, i.e., the orientations of the first magnet and the secondmagnet are such that either their North poles are aimed at or facingeach other, or their South poles are aimed at or facing each other.

The pivoting arm of the actuator portion may be configured to rotate inresponse to the driver portion moving the first magnet near the actuatorportion due to second magnet being repelled from the first magnet,thereby pushing the float member down in the fluid of the wave tank.Said another way, in response to the driver portion moving the firstmagnet near the actuator portion, the second magnet may be repelled fromthe first magnet, due to repelling force, thereby rotating the pivotingarm of the actuator portion and pushing the float member down in thefluid of the wave tank, as indicated by rotation (which is with respectto the pivot point of the actuator portion). In other words, the forcethat repels the second magnet may rotate the pivoting arm, which maypush the float member deeper into the fluid of the wave tank.

The float member may be configured to provide a restorative force (dueto the buoyancy of the float member) that rotates the pivoting arm inresponse to the driver portion moving the first magnet away from theactuator portion, thereby allowing the float member to rise in the fluidof the wave tank.

Thus, as the first magnet revolves through one cycle, moving close, thenaway, from the second magnet, and back again, the repelling force mayincrease (to a maximum at closest approach), which is enough to overcomethe buoyancy of the float member and push the float member down into thefluid, then may decrease (to a minimum at furthest approach), where thebuoyancy (restorative force) overcomes the repelling force, and thuslifts the float member and rotates the pivoting arm. Thus, each rotationcycle of the rotating mount may cause the actuator portion to transitionback and forth between two states (respectively characterized by theextrema of the pivoting arm's rotation positions): a first state, wherethe float member is at its highest point and the second magnet isnearest the side of the wave tank, and thus the driver portion, and asecond state, where the float member is at its lowest point (in thefluid) and the second magnet is furthest away from the side of the wavetank, and thus the driver portion.

The rotation of the pivoting arm in response to said repeatedly andalternately moving the first magnet may induce waves in the wave tankvia the float member. More specifically, as the float member moves upand down, waves are generated in the fluid of the wave tank.

Expressed in a slightly different manner, during operation of the wavegenerator, the motor of the driver portion may rotate the rotatingmount, thereby revolving the first magnet, and so repeatedly andalternately moving the first magnet through a range of closest approachto the actuator portion, then through a range of furthest approach tothe actuator portion, where the first and second magnets are oriented torepel each other upon closest approach.

In response to the first magnet being in the range of closest approach,the second magnet may be repelled from the first magnet, thereby causingthe pivoting arm to rotate from a first angular position where the floatmember is at a first depth in the wave tank to a second angular positionwhere the float member is at a second depth in the wave tank, and wherethe second depth is greater than the first depth.

In response to the first magnet being in the range of furthest approach,the float member's buoyancy may provide a restorative force that causesthe pivoting arm to rotate from the second angular position where thefloat member is at the second depth in the wave tank back to the firstangular position where the float member is at the first depth in thewave tank. As noted above, the rotation of the pivoting arm in responseto said repeatedly and alternately moving the first magnet induces wavesin the wave tank via the float member.

Thus, various embodiments of the magnetic wave generator disclosedherein may be used to generate waves in a fluid, e.g., in a wave tank,without requiring a mechanical coupling between a driver portion of thewave generator and an actuator portion of the wave generator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of the present invention can be obtained when thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment is consideredin conjunction with the following drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates components of a magnetic wave generator, according toone embodiment;

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a magnetic wave generator installed in a wavetank and its operation, according to one embodiment;

FIGS. 2C and 2D illustrate respective alternative magnet configurationsfor the magnetic wave generator, according to some embodiments;

FIG. 3 illustrates the magnetic wave generator of FIGS. 2A and 2B withmeans for securing a driver portion of the magnetic wave generator to aside of the wave tank, according to one embodiment;

FIG. 4 illustrates a computer controlled magnetic wave generator,according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exemplary block diagram of the computer system of FIG. 4;and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method ofoperation of a magnetic wave generator, according to one embodiment.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should beunderstood, however, that the drawings and detailed description theretoare not intended to limit the invention to the particular formdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Incorporation by Reference:

The following references are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety as though fully and completely set forth herein:

U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/621,197, titled “Magnetic WaveGenerator”, filed Apr. 6, 2012.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,568 titled “Graphical System for Modeling a Processand Associated Method,” issued on Apr. 3, 1990.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,741 titled “Method and Apparatus for ProvidingAttribute Nodes in a Graphical Data Flow Environment”.

Terms

The following is a glossary of terms used in the present application:

Memory Medium—Any of various types of memory devices or storage devices.The term “memory medium” is intended to include an installation medium,e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks 104, or tape device; a computer systemmemory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM,Rambus RAM, etc.; a non-volatile memory such as a Flash, magnetic media,e.g., a hard drive, or optical storage; registers, or other similartypes of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may comprise othertypes of memory as well or combinations thereof. In addition, the memorymedium may be located in a first computer in which the programs areexecuted, or may be located in a second different computer whichconnects to the first computer over a network, such as the Internet. Inthe latter instance, the second computer may provide programinstructions to the first computer for execution. The term “memorymedium” may include two or more memory mediums which may reside indifferent locations, e.g., in different computers that are connectedover a network.

Carrier Medium—a memory medium as described above, as well as a physicaltransmission medium, such as a bus, network, and/or other physicaltransmission medium that conveys signals such as electrical,electromagnetic, or digital signals.

Programmable Hardware Element—includes various hardware devicescomprising multiple programmable function blocks connected via aprogrammable interconnect. Examples include FPGAs (Field ProgrammableGate Arrays), PLDs (Programmable Logic Devices), FPOAs (FieldProgrammable Object Arrays), and CPLDs (Complex PLDs). The programmablefunction blocks may range from fine grained (combinatorial logic or lookup tables) to coarse grained (arithmetic logic units or processorcores). A programmable hardware element may also be referred to as“reconfigurable logic”.

Software Program—the term “software program” is intended to have thefull breadth of its ordinary meaning, and includes any type of programinstructions, code, script and/or data, or combinations thereof, thatmay be stored in a memory medium and executed by a processor. Exemplarysoftware programs include programs written in text-based programminglanguages, such as C, C++, PASCAL, FORTRAN, COBOL, JAVA, assemblylanguage, etc.; graphical programs (programs written in graphicalprogramming languages); assembly language programs; programs that havebeen compiled to machine language; scripts; and other types ofexecutable software. A software program may comprise two or moresoftware programs that interoperate in some manner. Note that variousembodiments described herein may be implemented by a computer orsoftware program. A software program may be stored as programinstructions on a memory medium.

Hardware Configuration Program—a program, e.g., a netlist or bit file,that can be used to program or configure a programmable hardwareelement.

Program—the term “program” is intended to have the full breadth of itsordinary meaning. The term “program” includes 1) a software programwhich may be stored in a memory and is executable by a processor or 2) ahardware configuration program useable for configuring a programmablehardware element.

Graphical Program—A program comprising a plurality of interconnectednodes or icons, wherein the plurality of interconnected nodes or iconsvisually indicate functionality of the program. The interconnected nodesor icons are graphical source code for the program. Graphical functionnodes may also be referred to as blocks.

The following provides examples of various aspects of graphicalprograms. The following examples and discussion are not intended tolimit the above definition of graphical program, but rather provideexamples of what the term “graphical program” encompasses:

The nodes in a graphical program may be connected in one or more of adata flow, control flow, and/or execution flow format. The nodes mayalso be connected in a “signal flow” format, which is a subset of dataflow.

Exemplary graphical program development environments which may be usedto create graphical programs include LabVIEW®, DasyLab™, DiaDem™ andMatrixx/SystemBuild™ from National Instruments, Simulink® from theMathWorks, VEE™ from Agilent, WiT™ from Coreco, Vision Program Manager™from PPT Vision, SoftWIRE™ from Measurement Computing, Sanscript™ fromNorthwoods Software, Khoros™ from Khoral Research, SnapMaster™ from HEMData, VisSim™ from Visual Solutions, ObjectBench™ by SES (Scientific andEngineering Software), and VisiDAQ™ from Advantech, among others.

The term “graphical program” includes models or block diagrams createdin graphical modeling environments, wherein the model or block diagramcomprises interconnected blocks (i.e., nodes) or icons that visuallyindicate operation of the model or block diagram; exemplary graphicalmodeling environments include Simulink®, SystemBuild™, VisSim™,Hypersignal Block Diagram™, etc.

A graphical program may be represented in the memory of the computersystem as data structures and/or program instructions. The graphicalprogram, e.g., these data structures and/or program instructions, may becompiled or interpreted to produce machine language that accomplishesthe desired method or process as shown in the graphical program.

Input data to a graphical program may be received from any of varioussources, such as from a device, unit under test, a process beingmeasured or controlled, another computer program, a database, or from afile. Also, a user may input data to a graphical program or virtualinstrument using a graphical user interface, e.g., a front panel.

A graphical program may optionally have a GUI associated with thegraphical program. In this case, the plurality of interconnected blocksor nodes are often referred to as the block diagram portion of thegraphical program.

Node—In the context of a graphical program, an element that may beincluded in a graphical program. The graphical program nodes (or simplynodes) in a graphical program may also be referred to as blocks. A nodemay have an associated icon that represents the node in the graphicalprogram, as well as underlying code and/or data that implementsfunctionality of the node. Exemplary nodes (or blocks) include functionnodes, sub-program nodes, terminal nodes, structure nodes, etc. Nodesmay be connected together in a graphical program by connection icons orwires.

Data Flow Program—A Software Program in which the program architectureis that of a directed graph specifying the flow of data through theprogram, and thus functions execute whenever the necessary input dataare available. Data flow programs can be contrasted with proceduralprograms, which specify an execution flow of computations to beperformed. As used herein “data flow” or “data flow programs” refer to“dynamically-scheduled data flow” and/or “statically-defined data flow”.

Graphical Data Flow Program (or Graphical Data Flow Diagram)—A GraphicalProgram which is also a Data Flow Program. A Graphical Data Flow Programcomprises a plurality of interconnected nodes (blocks), wherein at leasta subset of the connections among the nodes visually indicate that dataproduced by one node is used by another node. A LabVIEW VI is oneexample of a graphical data flow program. A Simulink block diagram isanother example of a graphical data flow program.

Graphical User Interface—this term is intended to have the full breadthof its ordinary meaning. The term “Graphical User Interface” is oftenabbreviated to “GUI”. A GUI may comprise only one or more input GUIelements, only one or more output GUI elements, or both input and outputGUI elements.

The following provides examples of various aspects of GUIs. Thefollowing examples and discussion are not intended to limit the ordinarymeaning of GUI, but rather provide examples of what the term “graphicaluser interface” encompasses:

A GUI may comprise a single window having one or more GUI Elements, ormay comprise a plurality of individual GUI Elements (or individualwindows each having one or more GUI Elements), wherein the individualGUI Elements or windows may optionally be tiled together.

A GUI may be associated with a graphical program. In this instance,various mechanisms may be used to connect GUI Elements in the GUI withnodes in the graphical program. For example, when Input Controls andOutput Indicators are created in the GUI, corresponding nodes (e.g.,terminals) may be automatically created in the graphical program orblock diagram. Alternatively, the user can place terminal nodes in theblock diagram which may cause the display of corresponding GUI Elementsfront panel objects in the GUI, either at edit time or later at runtime. As another example, the GUI may comprise GUI Elements embedded inthe block diagram portion of the graphical program.

Front Panel—A Graphical User Interface that includes input controls andoutput indicators, and which enables a user to interactively control ormanipulate the input being provided to a program, and view output of theprogram, while the program is executing.

A front panel is a type of GUI. A front panel may be associated with agraphical program as described above.

In an instrumentation application, the front panel can be analogized tothe front panel of an instrument. In an industrial automationapplication the front panel can be analogized to the MMI (Man MachineInterface) of a device. The user may adjust the controls on the frontpanel to affect the input and view the output on the respectiveindicators.

Graphical User Interface Element—an element of a graphical userinterface, such as for providing input or displaying output. Exemplarygraphical user interface elements comprise input controls and outputindicators.

Input Control—a graphical user interface element for providing userinput to a program. An input control displays the value input by theuser and is capable of being manipulated at the discretion of the user.Exemplary input controls comprise dials, knobs, sliders, input textboxes, etc.

Output Indicator—a graphical user interface element for displayingoutput from a program. Exemplary output indicators include charts,graphs, gauges, output text boxes, numeric displays, etc. An outputindicator is sometimes referred to as an “output control”.

Computer System—any of various types of computing or processing systems,including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system,workstation, network appliance, Internet appliance, personal digitalassistant (PDA), television system, grid computing system, or otherdevice or combinations of devices. In general, the term “computersystem” can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combinationof devices) having at least one processor that executes instructionsfrom a memory medium.

Measurement Device—includes instruments, data acquisition devices, smartsensors, and any of various types of devices that are configured toacquire and/or store data. A measurement device may also optionally befurther configured to analyze or process the acquired or stored data.Examples of a measurement device include an instrument, such as atraditional stand-alone “box” instrument, a computer-based instrument(instrument on a card) or external instrument, a data acquisition card,a device external to a computer that operates similarly to a dataacquisition card, a smart sensor, one or more DAQ or measurement cardsor modules in a chassis, an image acquisition device, such as an imageacquisition (or machine vision) card (also called a video capture board)or smart camera, a motion control device, a robot having machine vision,and other similar types of devices. Exemplary “stand-alone” instrumentsinclude oscilloscopes, multimeters, signal analyzers, arbitrary waveformgenerators, spectroscopes, and similar measurement, test, or automationinstruments.

A measurement device may be further configured to perform controlfunctions, e.g., in response to analysis of the acquired or stored data.For example, the measurement device may send a control signal to anexternal system, such as a motion control system or to a sensor, inresponse to particular data. A measurement device may also be configuredto perform automation functions, i.e., may receive and analyze data, andissue automation control signals in response.

Automatically—refers to an action or operation performed by a computersystem (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g.,circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.), without userinput directly specifying or performing the action or operation. Thusthe term “automatically” is in contrast to an operation being manuallyperformed or specified by the user, where the user provides input todirectly perform the operation. An automatic procedure may be initiatedby input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions that areperformed “automatically” are not specified by the user, i.e., are notperformed “manually”, where the user specifies each action to perform.For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting eachfield and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typinginformation, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) is fillingout the form manually, even though the computer system must update theform in response to the user actions. The form may be automaticallyfilled out by the computer system where the computer system (e.g.,software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of theform and fills in the form without any user input specifying the answersto the fields. As indicated above, the user may invoke the automaticfilling of the form, but is not involved in the actual filling of theform (e.g., the user is not manually specifying answers to fields butrather they are being automatically completed). The presentspecification provides various examples of operations beingautomatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.

FIG. 1—Magnetic Wave Generator Components

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary components of a magnetic wave generator,according to one embodiment. Note that the components shown areexemplary only and that each component is not limited to any particularform or appearance. Additionally, in some embodiments, various of thecomponents may be combined or integrated into one component, as desired.Conversely, in some embodiments, various of the components shown may beimplemented with multiple parts, i.e., sub-components, as desired.

As FIG. 1 shows, in some embodiments, the magnetic wave generator, whichmay be referred to herein simply as “the wave generator”, may includecomponents for an actuator portion 110, and components for a driverportion 120. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the driver portion 120includes a rotating mount 124 that includes a magnet 108A, e.g., a firstmagnet, situated on a circumferential edge of the rotating mount. Thedriver portion further includes a motor 122 (e.g., in a housing),coupled to and configured to rotate the rotating mount 124. Note thatthe magnet 108A is positioned on or in the rotating mount 124 such thatwhen the motor rotates the rotating mount 124, the magnet revolvesaround the axis of rotation of the rotating mount. Note that while therotating mount shown is a thick disk (or alternatively, a shortcylinder), in other embodiments, the rotating mount may be of any shapedesired, so long as it can be made to rotate by the motor, and therebycause the first magnet 108A to revolve, e.g., an L-shaped member withone leg aligned with the axis of rotation, and the other holding themagnet 108A, among others.

In various embodiments, power may be provided to the motor 122 via anyof a variety of means, e.g., batteries, direct current (e.g., via atransformer and cable), alternating current (via a cable), or even ahand crank, among others.

In the embodiment shown, the components for the actuator portion 110include a pivot mount 112, a pivoting arm 102, and a float member 106,which in this particular embodiment is a buoyant tube. As indicated, thepivoting arm 102 includes a magnet, 108B, e.g., a second magnet, at afirst position on the pivoting arm 102, and the float member 106, at asecond position on the pivoting arm. Note that the pivoting arm maycouple to or include the float member 106, i.e., the pivoting arm andthe floating member may be one piece or not.

When assembled, the pivoting arm 102 is rotatably coupled to the pivotmount 112. In other words, the pivoting arm 102 can rotate with respectto the pivot mount 112. This pivoting functionality may be implementedin any of various ways, including, for example, a pivot hole 104 andpivot post 114, as shown. In another exemplary embodiment, thisfunctionality may be implemented via a flexible joint, e.g., a short,durable, flexible ribbon that attaches to the pivot mount 112 and thepivoting arm 102, and allows the pivoting arm to pivot about the pointof attachment on the pivot mount. More generally, any pivoting orhinging means can be used as desired, e.g., any of various hinges orhinging mechanisms.

The float member is buoyant, i.e., the float member is a buoyant elementthat when submerged in a fluid, such as water in a wave tank, has atendency to rise to the surface of the fluid, i.e., the buoyancy of thefloat member generates an upward force. Note that while the float member106 shown in FIG. 1 is a buoyancy tube, in other embodiments, any type,material, or shape of float member may be used as desired, so long as itis buoyant. Further examples of float members are described below.

Embodiments of the assembled and installed magnetic wave generator andits operation are now described with reference to FIGS. 2A and 2B.

FIGS. 2A and 2B: Magnetic Wave Generator and Operation Thereof

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate one embodiment of the assembled and installedmagnetic wave generator and its operation.

As may be seen, in FIGS. 2A and 2B, when installed (and duringoperation), the actuator portion 110 of the wave generator may be atleast partially submerged in a wave tank 200 that contains a fluid, andthe driver portion 120 may be situated just outside the wave tank andproximate to the actuator portion. Thus, the driver portion and theactuator portion are proximate and magnetically coupled via the firstand second magnets. Note that in the embodiment shown, the actuatorportion is mounted (or positioned) on the bottom (floor) of the wavetank; however, in other embodiments, the actuator portion may be mounted(or positioned) elsewhere in or on the wave tank, as will be describedfurther below.

The driver portion 120 may be configured to rotate the rotating mount124, thereby repeatedly and alternatively moving the first magnet nearthen away from the actuator portion 110. Note that the first and secondmagnets are preferably oriented to repel each other upon closestapproach. In other words, as the rotating mount 124 brings the firstmagnet 108A near the actuator portion, and thus near the second magnet108B, the magnets are in opposition, i.e., the orientations of the firstmagnet 108A and the second magnet 108B are such that either their Northpoles are aimed at or facing each other, or their South poles are aimedat or facing each other. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the Northpoles are utilized, as indicated by the “N” label of the first magnet108A.

The pivoting arm of the actuator portion 110 may be configured to rotatein response to the driver portion 120 moving the first magnet near theactuator portion 110 due to second magnet being repelled from the firstmagnet, thereby pushing the float member down in the fluid of the wavetank. Said another way, in response to the driver portion moving thefirst magnet 108A near the actuator portion, the second magnet 108B maybe repelled from the first magnet, due to repelling force 202, therebyrotating the pivoting arm of the actuator portion and pushing the floatmember down in the fluid of the wave tank, as indicated by rotation 204A(which is with respect to the pivot point of the actuator portion). Inother words, the force that repels the second magnet 108B may rotate thepivoting arm 102, which may push the float member 106 deeper into thefluid of the wave tank.

The float member may be configured to provide a restorative force 203(due to the buoyancy of the float member) that rotates the pivoting armin response to the driver portion moving the first magnet away from theactuator portion, as indicated by rotation 204B (which is opposite ofrotation 204A), thereby allowing the float member to rise in the fluidof the wave tank.

Thus, as the first magnet 108A revolves through one cycle, moving close,then away, from the second magnet 108B, and back again, the repellingforce 202 may increase (to a maximum at closest approach), which isenough to overcome the buoyancy of the float member 106 and push thefloat member down into the fluid, then may decrease (to a minimum atfurthest approach), where the buoyancy (restorative force) overcomes therepelling force, and thus lifts the float member and rotates thepivoting arm. Thus, each rotation cycle of the rotating mount may causethe actuator portion 110 to transition back and forth between two states(respectively characterized by the extrema of the pivoting arm'srotation positions): a first state, where the float member 106 is at itshighest point and the second magnet is nearest the side of the wavetank, and thus the driver portion, as illustrated in FIG. 2A; and asecond state, where the float member 106 is at its lowest point (in thefluid) and the second magnet is furthest away from the side of the wavetank, and thus the driver portion, as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

The rotation of the pivoting arm in response to said repeatedly andalternately moving the first magnet may induce waves in the wave tankvia the float member. More specifically, as the float member moves upand down, waves are generated in the fluid of the wave tank.

Expressed in a slightly different manner, during operation of the wavegenerator, the motor of the driver portion may rotate the rotatingmount, thereby revolving the first magnet, and so repeatedly andalternately moving the first magnet through a range of closest approachto the actuator portion, then through a range of furthest approach tothe actuator portion, where the first and second magnets are oriented torepel each other upon closest approach.

In response to the first magnet being in the range of closest approach,the second magnet may be repelled from the first magnet, thereby causingthe pivoting arm to rotate from a first angular position where the floatmember is at a first depth in the wave tank to a second angular positionwhere the float member is at a second depth in the wave tank, and wherethe second depth is greater than the first depth.

In response to the first magnet being in the range of furthest approach,the float member's buoyancy may provide a restorative force that causesthe pivoting arm to rotate from the second angular position where thefloat member is at the second depth in the wave tank back to the firstangular position where the float member is at the first depth in thewave tank. As noted above, the rotation of the pivoting arm in responseto said repeatedly and alternately moving the first magnet induces wavesin the wave tank via the float member.

Further Exemplary Embodiments

While the above describes an exemplary embodiment of the magnetic wavegenerator, it should be noted that numerous other embodiments are alsocontemplated.

For example, as noted above, in various embodiments, the float membermay be made from any of various materials. Regarding materials, in someembodiments, the float member may be made of a solid buoyant foam-basedmaterial, such as Styrofoam™, foam rubber, etc., or other naturallybuoyant substance. In other embodiments, the float member may be hollow(e.g., filled with air or one or more other gases), and made of anymaterial of sufficient thinness and/or lightness such that the floatmember is suitably buoyant, e.g., plastic, metal, etc. In oneembodiment, the float member may simply be a balloon affixed to thepivoting arm.

As also noted above, in various embodiments, the float member may haveany of a wide variety of shapes, as desired. Note that the shape of thefloat member may determine the types of waves generated. For example,the cylindrical shape of the float member shown in the above describedfigures may produce substantially linear waves; a spherical, oval, orconvex “C” shaped float member may produce divergent waves; and aconcave “C” shaped float may produce convergent waves. Of course, otherfloat member shapes may be employed to generate other, e.g., morecomplex, waveforms.

It should be noted that while the rotating mount 124 shown in thefigures rotates in a horizontal plane, this orientation is not required,but rather, any orientation may be used, so long as the rotation movesthe first magnet 108A near to and far from the actuator portion, e.g., avertical orientation, or rotates the first magnet such that italternately attracts and repels the second magnet, as now discussed.

In some embodiments, the magnets may be selected and arranged in amanner such that magnetic attraction between the magnets operates toaugment (or possibly even replace) the restorative force provided by thefloat member. More specifically, the magnet on the float member(corresponding to magnet 108B of the Figures, and referred to as thefloat magnet) may present both North and South poles (simultaneously) tothe magnet on the motor (corresponding to magnet 108A, and referred toas the motor magnet), which may similarly present both of its poles tothe magnet on the float member. Note that in these embodiments, the axisof the motor is preferably horizontal, as opposed to the verticalorientation of the above-described embodiments. During operation, therelative orientations of the magnets repeatedly changes from a repulsiveconfiguration in which the North and South poles of the motor magnet arealigned with, and thus repel, the North and South poles of the floatmagnet, to an attractive configuration in which the North and Southpoles of the motor magnet are aligned with, and thus attract, the Southand North poles of the float magnet.

Note that these embodiments can be implemented via at least twodifferent types of magnet. In some embodiments, the motor magnet and/orthe float magnet may be a diametric magnet, which, as is well known inthe magnetic arts, is a cylinder (or cylindrical annulus) whose facesare half North and half South. Similarly, in other embodiments, themotor magnet and/or the float magnet may be a bar magnet or a“horseshoe” magnet, or any other type of magnet (or arrangement ofmagnets) whose poles can be presented at the same time (i.e., in a planeat substantially the same distance from the other magnet). For example,in cases where the motor magnet is a diametric magnet, the (magnet's)cylinder or annulus axis is parallel or coincident with the motor axis,as illustrated in FIG. 2C, where motor magnet magnet 108C rotates in andout of alignment with float magnet 108D, generating attractive force 205when the poles of the two magnets are anti-aligned (N to S, S to N), asshown. In other words, the magnet 108C on the motor has its poles aboutor around the motor axis. FIG. 2D illustrates the case where the motormagnet is a bar magnet 108E and where the bar is perpendicular to themotor axis, i.e., the magnet is affixed to the motor axis (or rotatingmount) such that the bar is normal to the motor axis. In the exemplaryembodiment shown, the float magnet is also a bar magnet 108F. Note thatany of such types of magnet (e.g., diametric, bar, horseshoe, etc.) maybe used for the float magnet or the motor magnet as desired. As with theembodiment of FIG. 2C, during operation the motor 122 rotates the motormagnet 108E into and out of alignment with the float magnet 108F,thereby respectively generating repelling and attractive forces betweenthe two magnets to move the actuator portion as described above. Notethat in FIG. 2D the magnets are anti-aligned, thereby generating anattractive force 205, similar to that shown in FIG. 2C.

In either arrangement, during operation the poles of the motor magnetrotate with the axis of the motor. When the North pole of the magnetlines up with the North pole of the float magnet, and concurrently theSouth poles line up, a repulsive force 202 is generated that pushes thefloat down into the fluid. Conversely, when the North and South poles ofthe motor magnet align with the South and North poles of the floatmagnet, an attractive force 205 is generated that operates to pull thefloat up, and possibly out of the water, thus augmenting the buoyancybased restorative force 203 (see FIG. 2A).

In yet another embodiment, the rotating mount may be configured toaugment the buoyancy based restorative force 203. For example, in oneembodiment, this may be achieved by including an additional magnetsituated on the opposite radial edge of the mount from magnet 108A andwith the opposite polarity. Alternatively, magnet 108A may be a barmagnet of sufficient length to present respective poles on oppositesides/ends of the rotating mount, e.g., referring to FIG. 2B, a S poleof magnet 108A may be presented on the radial edge of the rotating mountopposite the N pole of magnet 108A. In both of these exemplaryembodiments, when the additional magnet/pole rotates into a positionproximate to the tank, and thus the actuator portion, an attractiveforce between the exposed pole of magnet 108B (N in the embodiment shownin FIG. 2B) and the additional pole (not shown) may augment therestorative force, thereby furthering rotation 204B of the actuatorportion around the pivot post 114.

In some embodiments, the driver portion further includes means forsecuring the driver portion to a side of the wave tank, and the pivotmount of the actuator portion includes means for securing the pivotmount to the bottom or one of the sides of the wave tank. For example,in some embodiments, the means for securing the driver portion to a sideof the wave tank and/or the means for securing the pivot mount to thebottom or one of the sides of the wave tank may include an adhesive.

Alternatively, or additionally, in some embodiments, the means forsecuring the driver portion to a side of the wave tank and/or the meansfor securing the pivot mount to the bottom or one of the sides of thewave tank may include one or more suction cups. FIG. 3 illustrates suchan exemplary embodiment, where, as may be seen, suction cups 302 areutilized to affix the driver and actuator portions of the wave generatorto opposite sides of an intervening side or wall of the wave tank.

In one embodiment, the means for securing the driver portion or theactuator portion to a side of the wave tank may include a clip (e.g., ahanger) configured to grip or catch a top edge of the side of the wavetank.

Alternatively, in some embodiments, the means for securing the driverportion to a side of the wave tank may include a third magnet attachedto the driver portion, and a fourth magnet, configured to be placed onan inside surface of the side of the wave tank opposite the thirdmagnet, thereby securing the driver portion to the side of the wave tankvia magnetic attraction between the third and fourth magnets. In otherwords, the third and fourth magnets may “sandwich” a wall of the wavetank, and thus hold the driver portion in place against the side of thewave tank. Similarly, the means for securing the pivot mount to thebottom or one of the sides of the wave tank may include a (different)third magnet attached to the pivot mount, and a (different) fourthmagnet, configured to be placed on an outside surface of the bottom orone of the sides of the wave tank opposite the third magnet, therebysecuring the pivot mount to the bottom or one of the sides of the wavetank via magnetic attraction between the third and fourth magnets.

In a variation or hybrid version of the above, in yet anotherembodiment, the means for securing the driver portion to a side of thewave tank and means for securing the pivot mount to the bottom or one ofthe sides of the wave tank may include a third magnet attached to thedriver portion, and a fourth magnet attached to the pivot mount, wherewhen the driver portion and the pivot mount are placed opposite oneanother on either side of the side of the wave tank, both the driverportion and the pivot mount are secured to the side of the wave tank viamagnetic attraction between the third and fourth magnets.

In a further embodiment, the means for securing the pivot mount to thebottom or one of the sides of the wave tank comprises means for securingthe pivot mount to the bottom of the wave tank, and the means forsecuring the pivot mount to the bottom of the wave tank comprises aweight. In other words, in some embodiments where the pivot mount ispositioned on the bottom (floor) of the wave tank, the weight of thepivot mount and/or the actuator portion in general, may be sufficient tohold the actuator portion in place.

Other embodiments may include variants or combinations of the above. Forexample, in yet another exemplary embodiment, both the driver portionand the actuator portion may hang from the top edge of a side (onopposite sides of the wave tank side or wall), e.g., via respectiveclips (e.g., hangar), a single combination clip, e.g., a dual hangerfrom which each portion is suspended (on opposite sides of the wave tankside or wall). Any other means for securing the wave generator portionsmay be used as desired.

FIG. 4—Computer Controlled Magnetic Wave Generator

In some embodiments, the magnetic wave generator may be controlledsimply via one or more controls coupled directly to the device, e.g.,via a rheostat coupled to the motor. However, in other embodiments, thewave generator may be coupled to a controller, i.e., a computer, andcontrolled thereby.

FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of a computer controlled magnetic wavegenerator, where the magnetic wave generator is coupled to a computersystem 82 via a transmission medium 402, e.g., a cable or othertransmission means, where the computer (controller) is configured toexecute program instructions for controlling the wave generator. Forexample, the program instructions may comprise one or more programsexecutable by the computer system 82 to control the frequency ofrotation of the motor and/or the rotating mount, which determines thefrequency of movement of the float member, and thus, the waves. Theprogram instructions may also be executable to start or stop the motor,and thus the rotation of the first magnet, or to turn the wave generatoron and off.

In some embodiments, the programs may be graphical programs developedunder the LabVIEW™ graphical program development environment, providedby National Instruments Corporation, although any type of software maybe used as desired.

As may be seen, the computer system 82 may include a display deviceconfigured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) for userconfiguration or control (or calibration) of the wave generator via thecomputer system. The graphical user interface may comprise any type ofgraphical user interface, e.g., depending on the computing platform.

The computer system 82 may include at least one memory medium on whichone or more computer programs or software components according to oneembodiment of the present invention may be stored. For example, thememory medium may store one or more graphical programs which areexecutable to configure or control the wave generator. Additionally, thememory medium may store a graphical programming development environmentapplication used to create and/or execute such graphical programs. Thememory medium may also store operating system software, as well as othersoftware for operation of the computer system. Various embodimentsfurther include receiving or storing instructions and/or dataimplemented in accordance with the foregoing description upon a carriermedium.

In some embodiments, the computer system (or controller) may be coupledto the wave generator via a network, such as the Internet, and thus maybe configured or controlled remotely.

FIG. 5—Computer System Block Diagram

FIG. 5 is a block diagram representing one embodiment of the computersystem 82 illustrated in FIG. 4. It is noted that any type of computersystem configuration or architecture can be used as desired, and FIG. 5illustrates a representative PC embodiment. It is also noted that thecomputer system may be a general purpose computer system, a computerimplemented on a card installed in a chassis, an embedded device, orother types of embodiments. Elements of a computer not necessary tounderstand the present description have been omitted for simplicity.

The computer may include at least one central processing unit or CPU(processor) 160 which is coupled to a processor or host bus 162. The CPU160 may be any of various types, including an x86 processor, e.g., aPentium class, a PowerPC processor, a CPU from the SPARC family of RISCprocessors, as well as others. A memory medium, typically comprising RAMand referred to as main memory, 166 is coupled to the host bus 162 bymeans of memory controller 164. The main memory 166 may store a program,e.g., a graphical program, configured to control the driver portion ofthe wave generator, e.g., to control or modulate the frequency, and insome embodiments, the amplitude, of the generated waves. The main memorymay also store operating system software, as well as other software foroperation of the computer system.

The host bus 162 may be coupled to an expansion or input/output bus 170by means of a bus controller 168 or bus bridge logic. The expansion bus170 may be the PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) expansion bus,although other bus types can be used. The expansion bus 170 includesslots for various devices such as described above. The computer 82further comprises a video display subsystem 180 and hard drive 182coupled to the expansion bus 170. The computer 82 may also comprise aGPIB card 113 coupled to a GPIB bus 112, and/or an MXI device 186coupled to a VXI chassis 116.

As shown, a device 190 may also be connected to the computer. The device190 may include a processor and memory which may execute a real timeoperating system. The device 190 may also or instead comprise aprogrammable hardware element. The computer system may be configured todeploy a graphical program to the device 190 for execution of thegraphical program on the device 190. The deployed graphical program maytake the form of graphical program instructions or data structures thatdirectly represents the graphical program. Alternatively, the deployedgraphical program may take the form of text code (e.g., C code)generated from the graphical program. As another example, the deployedgraphical program may take the form of compiled code generated fromeither the graphical program or from text code that in turn wasgenerated from the graphical program.

As indicated above, the frequency of rotation of the rotating mount 124determines the frequency of the resulting waves in the fluid. There arevarious ways in which the amplitude of the waves may also be specifiedor controlled, based on setting or modifying various attributes of thewave generating device, such as, for example, the strength of themagnets, the distance of closest approach of the magnets, the structureof the pivoting arm, e.g., distance from the pivot to the float member,and the buoyancy of the float member, among others.

For example, in one embodiment, the driver portion may be configured tobe a specified distance from the side of the wave tank, e.g., viaspacers. Alternatively, or additionally, the driver portion may beconstructed such that two or more of the sides of the motor housing areat different distances from the rotating mount's axis of rotation. Forexample, assuming a roughly square housing, the axis of rotation may be6 inches from a first side of the housing, 9 inches from a second sideof the housing, 12 inches from a third side of the housing, and 15inches from a fourth side of the housing, and so the distance of nearestapproach of the magnets may be discretely set simply by the side of thehousing placed against the side of the wave tank. In a continuousvariation of the above, the housing may have an oval shape (or otherclosed curve), and this distance may be varied smoothly simply byrotating the housing.

In another exemplary embodiment, e.g., where the rotating mount has sometype of “L” shape, the leg of the “L” that holds the first magnet 108Amay be telescopic, and thus, a user may simply extend that leg of themount to shorten the distance of closest approach, thereby increasingthe repelling force 202 between the magnets at closest approach.

Any other means for adjusting this distance, and thus, controlling theamplitude of the generated waves, may be used as desired.

FIG. 6—Method of Operation of a Magnetic Wave Generator

FIG. 6 illustrates a method of operation for a magnetic wave generatorfor generating waves in a fluid, according to one embodiment. The methodshown in FIG. 6 may be used in conjunction with any of the computersystems or devices shown in the above Figures, among other devices. Invarious embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performedconcurrently, in a different order than shown, or may be omitted.Additional method elements may also be performed as desired. As shown,this method may operate as follows.

First, in 602, a magnetic wave generator may be provided. As describedabove, the magnetic wave generator may include a driver portion,comprising a rotating mount that includes a first magnet situated on acircumferential edge of the rotating mount, and a motor, coupled to andconfigured to rotate the rotating mount; and may further include anactuator portion, comprising a pivot mount, and a pivoting arm,configured to rotatably couple to the pivot mount. The pivoting arm mayinclude a second magnet at a first position on the pivoting arm, and afloat member at a second position on the pivoting arm, where the floatmember is buoyant.

In 604, the driver portion may rotate the rotating mount, therebyrepeatedly and alternatively moving the first magnet near then away fromthe actuator portion, where the first and second magnets are oriented torepel each other upon closest approach. More details regarding thedriver portion, its structure, and its operation are provided above.

In 606, in response to the driver portion moving the first magnet nearthe actuator portion, the pivoting arm of the actuator portion may berotated away from the first magnet via the second magnet being repelledfrom the first magnet, thereby pushing the float member down in thefluid of the wave tank.

In 608, in response to the driver portion moving the first magnet awayfrom the actuator portion, the pivoting arm of the actuator portion maybe rotated toward the first magnet via the buoyancy of the float memberproviding a restorative force that allows the float member to rise inthe fluid of the wave tank.

In 610, waves may be induced in the wave tank via the float member byrepeatedly rotating the pivoting arm in response to said repeatedly andalternately moving the first magnet.

In a more general embodiment of the above method, a magnetic wavegenerator may be installed, in which a driver portion may be placedoutside a wave tank that contains a fluid, where the driver portionincludes a first magnet, and an actuator portion may be placed insidethe wave tank. The actuator portion may include a second magnet coupledto a buoyant float member.

Once the magnet wave generator is installed, the first magnet of thedriver portion may be rotated. The rotating may periodically move thefirst magnet near the second magnet, thereby inducing a repellant forceon the second magnet that pushes the buoyant float member down into thefluid. The rotating may further periodically move the first magnet awayfrom the second magnet, thereby allowing the buoyancy of the floatmember to provide a restorative force that causes the buoyant floatmember to rise in the fluid. The movement of the buoyant float membermay induce waves in the fluid of the wave tank. Additionally, asdiscussed above, in some embodiments, the buoyancy-related restorativeforce may be augmented (or replaced) with an attractive force viaanti-alignment of diametric, bar, or horseshoe magnets.

Further details regarding the actuator portion, its structure, and itsoperation are presented above. Note that any of the features andembodiments disclosed herein may be used in any combinations as desired.

Thus, various embodiments of the above-described magnetic wave generatormay be used to generate waves in a fluid, e.g., in a wave tank, withoutrequiring a mechanical coupling between a driver portion of the wavegenerator and an actuator portion of the wave generator.

Although the embodiments above have been described in considerabledetail, numerous variations and modifications will become apparent tothose skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated.It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace allsuch variations and modifications.

We claim:
 1. A magnetic wave generator for generating waves in a fluid,comprising: a driver portion, comprising: a rotating mount, wherein therotating mount comprises a first magnet situated on a circumferentialedge of the rotating mount; and a motor, coupled to and configured torotate the rotating mount; and an actuator portion, comprising: a pivotmount; and a pivoting arm, configured to rotatably couple to the pivotmount, and comprising: a second magnet at a first position on thepivoting arm; and a float member at a second position on the pivotingarm, wherein the float member is buoyant; wherein during operation theactuator portion is at least partially submerged in a wave tank thatcontains a fluid, and the driver portion is situated just outside thewave tank and proximate to the actuator portion, and the driver portionand the actuator portion are proximate and magnetically coupled via thefirst and second magnets; wherein the driver portion is configured torotate the rotating mount, thereby repeatedly and alternatively movingthe first magnet near then away from the actuator portion, wherein thefirst and second magnets are oriented to repel each other upon closestapproach; wherein the pivoting arm of the actuator portion is configuredto rotate in response to the driver portion moving the first magnet nearthe actuator portion due to the second magnet being repelled from thefirst magnet, thereby pushing the float member down in the fluid of thewave tank; wherein the float member is configured to provide arestorative force that rotates the pivoting arm due to the buoyancy ofthe float member in response to the driver portion moving the firstmagnet away from the actuator portion, thereby allowing the float memberto rise in the fluid of the wave tank; and wherein the rotation of thepivoting arm in response to said repeatedly and alternately moving thefirst magnet induces waves in the wave tank via the float member.
 2. Themagnet wave generator of claim 1, wherein the float member comprises acylinder.
 3. The magnet wave generator of claim 1, wherein the floatmember comprises a sphere.
 4. The magnet wave generator of claim 1,wherein the driver portion is configured to communicatively couple to acontroller, wherein the driver portion is configured to receive commandsfrom the controller specifying a rotation rate or a change in therotation rate for the motor, and wherein the motor is configured torotate accordingly in response to the received commands.
 5. The magnetwave generator of claim 1, wherein the driver portion further comprisesmeans for securing the driver portion to a side of the wave tank, andwherein the pivot mount of the actuator portion comprises means forsecuring the pivot mount to the bottom or one of the sides of the wavetank.
 6. The magnet wave generator of claim 5, wherein the means forsecuring the driver portion to a side of the wave tank comprises anadhesive.
 7. The magnet wave generator of claim 5, wherein the means forsecuring the driver portion to a side of the wave tank comprises one ormore suction cups.
 8. The magnet wave generator of claim 5, wherein themeans for securing the driver portion to a side of the wave tankcomprises a clip configured to grip a top edge of the side of the wavetank.
 9. The magnet wave generator of claim 5, wherein the means forsecuring the driver portion to a side of the wave tank comprises: athird magnet attached to the driver portion; and a fourth magnet,configured to be placed on an inside surface of the side of the wavetank opposite the third magnet, thereby securing the driver portion tothe side of the wave tank via magnetic attraction between the third andfourth magnets.
 10. The magnet wave generator of claim 5, wherein themeans for securing the pivot mount to the bottom or one of the sides ofthe wave tank comprises an adhesive.
 11. The magnet wave generator ofclaim 5, wherein the means for securing the pivot mount to the bottom orone of the sides of the wave tank comprises: a third magnet attached tothe pivot mount; and a fourth magnet, configured to be placed on anoutside surface of the bottom or one of the sides of the wave tankopposite the third magnet, thereby securing the pivot mount to thebottom or one of the sides of the wave tank via magnetic attractionbetween the third and fourth magnets.
 12. The magnet wave generator ofclaim 5, wherein the means for securing the pivot mount to the bottom orone of the sides of the wave tank comprises means for securing the pivotmount to the bottom of the wave tank, wherein the means for securing thepivot mount to the bottom of the wave tank comprises a weight.
 13. Themagnet wave generator of claim 5, wherein the means for securing thedriver portion to a side of the wave tank and means for securing thepivot mount to the bottom or one of the sides of the wave tank comprise:a third magnet attached to the driver portion; and a fourth magnetattached to the pivot mount; wherein when the driver portion and thepivot mount are placed opposite one another on either side of the sideof the wave tank, both the driver portion and the pivot mount aresecured to the side of the wave tank via magnetic attraction between thethird and fourth magnets.
 14. The magnet wave generator of claim 1, 14.A method for operating a magnetic wave generator, the method comprising:installing a magnetic wave generator, comprising: placing a driverportion outside a wave tank that contains a fluid, wherein the driverportion comprises a first magnet; and placing an actuator portion insidethe wave tank, wherein the actuator portion comprises a second magnetcoupled to a buoyant float member; and rotating the first magnet of thedriver portion; wherein said rotating periodically moves the firstmagnet near the second magnet, thereby inducing a repellant force on thesecond magnet that pushes the buoyant float member down into the fluid;wherein said rotation further periodically moves the first magnet awayfrom the second magnet, thereby allowing the buoyancy of the floatmember to provide a restorative force that causes the buoyant floatmember to rise in the fluid; and wherein movement of the buoyant floatmember induces waves in the fluid of the wave tank.
 15. The method ofclaim 14, wherein the driver portion is configured to communicativelycouple to a controller, wherein the driver portion is configured toreceive commands from the controller specifying a rotation rate or achange in the rotation rate for the first magnet, and wherein the magnetis configured to rotate accordingly in response to the receivedcommands.
 16. The method of claim 14, wherein the driver portion furthercomprises means for securing the driver portion to a side of the wavetank, and wherein the actuator portion comprises means for securing theactuator portion to the bottom or one of the sides of the wave tank. 17.The method of claim 16, wherein the means for securing the driverportion to a side of the wave tank comprises one or more of: anadhesive; one or more suction cups; or a clip configured to grip a topedge of the side of the wave tank.
 18. The method of claim 16, whereinthe means for securing the driver portion to a side of the wave tankcomprises: a third magnet attached to the driver portion; and a fourthmagnet, configured to be placed on an inside surface of the side of thewave tank opposite the third magnet, thereby securing the driver portionto the side of the wave tank via magnetic attraction between the thirdand fourth magnets.
 19. The method of claim 16, wherein the means forsecuring the actuator portion to the bottom or one of the sides of thewave tank comprises an adhesive.
 20. The method of claim 16, wherein themeans for securing the actuator portion to the bottom or one of thesides of the wave tank comprises: a third magnet attached to theactuator portion; and a fourth magnet, configured to be placed on anoutside surface of the bottom or one of the sides of the wave tankopposite the third magnet, thereby securing the actuator portion to thebottom or one of the sides of the wave tank via magnetic attractionbetween the third and fourth magnets.
 21. The method of claim 16,wherein the means for securing the actuator portion to the bottom or oneof the sides of the wave tank comprises means for securing the actuatorportion to the bottom of the wave tank, wherein the means for securingthe actuator portion to the bottom of the wave tank comprises a weight.22. The method of claim 16, wherein the means for securing the driverportion to a side of the wave tank and means for securing the actuatorportion to the bottom or one of the sides of the wave tank comprise: athird magnet attached to the driver portion; and a fourth magnetattached to the actuator portion; wherein when the driver portion andthe actuator portion are placed opposite one another on either side ofthe side of the wave tank, both the driver portion and the actuatorportion are secured to the side of the wave tank via magnetic attractionbetween the third and fourth magnets.
 23. A magnetic wave generator forgenerating waves in a fluid, comprising: a driver portion, comprising: arotating mount, wherein the rotating mount comprises a first magnetsituated on the rotating mount; and a motor, coupled to and configuredto rotate the rotating mount; and an actuator portion, comprising: apivot mount; and a pivoting arm, configured to rotatably couple to thepivot mount, and comprising: a second magnet at a first position on thepivoting arm; and a float member at a second position on the pivotingarm, wherein the float member is buoyant; wherein during operation theactuator portion is at least partially submerged in a wave tank thatcontains a fluid, and the driver portion is situated just outside thewave tank and proximate to the actuator portion, and the driver portionand the actuator portion are proximate and magnetically coupled via thefirst and second magnets; wherein the driver portion is configured torotate the rotating mount, thereby repeatedly and alternatively rotatingthe first magnet to move first and second poles of the first magnet nearcorresponding first and second poles of the second magnet, then move thefirst and second poles near the second and first poles of the secondmagnet, respectively, thereby repeatedly and alternatively generatingrespective repulsive and attractive forces between the first and secondmagnets; wherein the pivoting arm of the actuator portion is configuredto rotate in response to the driver portion moving the first and secondpoles of the first magnet near the corresponding first and second polesof the second magnet, due to the second magnet being repelled from thefirst magnet, thereby pushing the float member down in the fluid of thewave tank; wherein the pivoting arm of the actuator portion is furtherconfigured to rotate in response to the driver portion moving the firstand second poles of the first magnet near the second and first poles ofthe second magnet, respectively, due to the second magnet beingattracted to the first magnet, thereby pulling the float member up inthe fluid of the wave tank; wherein the float member is configured toprovide a restorative force that rotates the pivoting arm due to thebuoyancy of the float member in response to the driver portion the firstand second poles of the first magnet near the second and first poles ofthe second magnet, respectively, thereby allowing the float member torise in the fluid of the wave tank; and wherein the rotation of thepivoting arm in response to said repeatedly and alternately moving thefirst magnet induces waves in the wave tank via the float member. 24.The magnetic wave generator of claim 23, wherein the first and secondmagnets each comprises one of: a diametric magnet; a bar magnet; or ahorseshoe magnet.